What are Public Charter Schools?

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Charter schools are independent public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative, while being held accountable for improved achievement.  The intention of public charter schools is to improve our nation's public school system.  These Charter schools are public because, while operated independently of the school district, they are

• Tuition-free and open to every student who wished to enroll
• Non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis
• Publicly funded by local, state and federal tax dollars based on enrollment, like other public schools
• held accountable to state and federal academic standards